Stark Co. inmates on the litter crew were picking up trash when they discovered three hand guns in the grass off of I-77, two of which were loaded.
The inmates were near the intersection of Faircrest Ave. and I-77 when the guns were located.
The Stark Co. Sheriff’s Dept. told newsnet5.com that the crew immediately notified a deputy and the rest of the area was surveyed.
“Who knows how long they would have been there until we found them?” said Major C.J. Stantz of the Stark Co. Sheriff’s Department.
Now the weapons are begin tested at a crime lab to determine if they are connected to an attempted murder case in Tuscarawas County.
Sgt. Jeff Moore, detective with the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office, told newsnet5.com that soon after the guns were found, investigators connected them to a shooting on July 11 in Salem Twp.
Police pursued a car with three suspects northbound on I-77. The chase ended with a car crash in Stark County. When suspects LaPierre Morris, 29, and Jermond Jenkins, 36 were arrested, there were no guns in the car.
“When they found the guns they kind of put the two and two together,” Major Stantz said. “They think they might be look so they’re getting analyzed right now to see if they are linked to that crime.”
Investigators said they are glad the guns are out of the grass and into a crime lab.
